With two wins over the Central Division-leading North Iowa Outlaws last weekend, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets moved a couple of steps closer to escaping the division’s cellar.
“We definitely needed a spark to strengthen our confidence, and we got it last weekend,” said Jets assistant coach Aaron Kinslow, whose team improved to 15-22-2 on the season. “Beating the top team is an extra incentive, but it doesn’t matter who we play; the bottom line is that we need to play with that urgency and confidence every night.”
The Jets opened the series with a 3-1 win on Friday. Mike Schumacher tallied the game-winning goal and an assist, with Justin Kirchevel and Robby Philipp ringing up the other Fargo-Moorhead markers. Between the pipes, Elliot Okland turned aside 23 shots.
Marc Mihulka struck for two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist the next night as the Jets edged the Outlaws, 3-2. Jordy Trottier scored the other Fargo-Moorhead goal, while Okland made 26 saves.
“I think we realized how important it is to play a competitive 60-minute game two nights in a row,” said Kinslow. “Knowing what it takes mentally night in and night out will make us tough to play against here down the stretch.”
Mihulka, the Jets’ leading-scorer with 40 points (14 goals) and a Top Prospects Tournament selection, along with Schumacher, both rose to the occasion last weekend with big goals at critical moments.
“Both of those guys came to play last weekend and gave it everything they had,” said Kinslow. “Even though they played particularly well, I thought all of our guys came to play each night when they needed each other the most.”
Including Okland. Now in his fourth year with the Jets, the 20-year-old netminder who has seen the lion’s share of the minutes in goal picked up his 11th and 12th wins of the season. His save percentage of .913 ranks tied for fourth in the entire NAHL.
“Elliot has the athletic ability to be an intimidating goalie to play against,” said Kinslow. “When he plays like he did last weekend, it’ll only help him and the team to get where they want to be.”
Despite their last-place positioning in the Central Division standings, the Jets’ spirits are high with a playoff berth still in reach. Fargo-Moorhead sits only one point behind Bismarck and Alexandria for the division’s fourth and final playoff spot.
“Our team has impressed me lately with its passion to win and overcome any adversity it faces,” said Kinslow. “This season has had its ups and downs, but in no way has it been disappointing. Our team has faced adversity and, in my mind, has found ways to overcome them.”
STANDINGS/LEADERS
North Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
St. Louis 43 34-8-1 69 .802 191 116
Mahoning Valley 41 25-12-4 54 .659 163 121
Alpena 43 25-15-3 53 .616 144 126
Marquette 44 22-19-3 47 .534 148 164
USNTDP 41 21-18-2 44 .537 139 142
Traverse City 43 14-19-10 38 .442 124 154
South Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
Wichita Falls 42 28-12-2 58 .690 160 124
Fairbanks 38 25-11-2 52 .684 110 86
Topeka 38 23-9-6 52 .684 146 95
Texas 45 17-25-3 37 .411 133 152
Alaska 42 15-25-2 32 .381 123 185
Kenai River 41 8-26-7 23 .280 99 181
Central Division
TEAM GP W-L-OTL PTS PCT GF GA
North Iowa 40 28-10-2 58 .725 147 97
So. Minnesota 39 19-12-8 46 .590 149 153
Springfield 40 19-18-3 41 .513 136 145
Alexandria 35 15-17-3 33 .471 131 148
Bismarck 42 15-24-3 33 .393 111 154
Fargo-Moorhead 39 15-22-2 32 .410 131 142
LEADING SCORERS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G A PTS
Cardwell, Adam WIC F 40 26 44 70
Salazar, Luke WIC F 42 32 32 64
Walters, Shea NIO F 40 18 46 64
Peterson, Erik ALP F 41 18 39 57
Graham, Derek MVY F 41 26 30 56
Warda, Ben STL F 43 19 37 56
Everett, Grant WIC F 41 15 40 55
O’Kane, Kyle STL F 38 33 21 54
Leone, Mike STL F 40 11 40 51
(two players tied with 47)
LEADING GOALTENDERS
PLAYER TEAM GPI MINS W-L-OTL GAA SPCT
Moss, Robby NIO 28 1658:58 20-5-2 2.06 .934
Reichard, Cody FBX 34 1994:56 22-11-0 2.11 .932
Merriam, Bryce TPK 30 1822:15 15-9-6 2.30 .896
Graves, Nick ALP 24 1395:08 15-4-4 2.49 .911
Heeter, Cal STL 24 1369:10 17-5-0 2.54 .913
GOALS
PLAYER TEAM P GP G
O’Kane, Kyle STL F 38 33
Salazar, Luke WIC F 42 32
Miller, Ben STL F 38 27
ASSISTS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP A
Walters, Shea NIO F 40 46
Cardwell, Adam WIC F 40 44
(two players tied with 40)
PLUS/MINUS
PLAYER TEAM POS GP +/-
Cardwell, Adam WIC F 40 +27
Madden, Jon MVY D 30 +27
(two players tied at +26)
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
North Division: Matt Hughes - Traverse City North Stars
Traverse City forward Matt Hughes rang up two goals and an assist last week as the North Stars posted a 2-1 record. After being held scoreless in a 3-2 loss to the U.S. Under-17 Team on Tuesday, the 20-year-old tallied a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over Alpena on Friday. The next night, the Goodrich, Mich., native scored the game-winning goal as the North Stars skated to a 3-1 triumph over the IceDiggers. Hughes was also a plus-2 for the week.
“Matt played a big part in our success last weekend and we expect it to continue,” said North Stars coach-GM Anthony Palumbo.
HONORABLE MENTION: Alpena forward Erik Peterson; Mahoning Valley forward Kyle Bailey; Marquette forward Nic Weight
Central Division: Elliot Okland - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
Fargo-Moorhead goaltender Elliot Okland backstopped the Jets to a pair of wins over Central Division-leading North Iowa last weekend, turning aside 49 of 52 shots. On Friday, the 20-year-old made 23 saves in a 3-1 triumph. The next night, the Fargo native stopped 26 shots as the Jets skated past the Outlaws, 3-2.
“Elliot rose to the occasion last weekend with solid all-around play and we couldn’t be happier for him,” said Jets assistant coach Aaron Kinslow.
HONORABLE MENTION: Fargo-Moorhead forward Marc Mihulka
South Division: Corey Jendras - Topeka RoadRunners
Topeka forward Corey Jendras struck for three goals and four assists last week as the RoadRunners skated to a 2-1 record. After notching an assist in a 9-2 win over Alaska on Tuesday, the 20-year-old recorded a hat trick in Topeka’s 5-4 loss to Fairbanks on Friday. The next night, the Abingdon, Md., native tallied three assists, including one on Aaron Gens’ game-winning goal, as the RoadRunners downed the Ice Dogs, 8-2. The University of Connecticut recruit was also a plus-4 for the week.
“Corey is a big-time goal-scorer and a big part of our offense,” said RoadRunners coach-GM Scott Langer. "He hit a cold spell for a few games, but it's nice to see him firing on all cylinders again.”
LAST WEEK'S SCORES/HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, January 29
Alaska 2 @ Topeka 9 (TOP: Sundstedt, 3G, +4)
Traverse City 2 @ USNTDP 3 (USA: Treais, G, A, +1)
Wednesday, January 30
Alaska 2 @ Topeka 8 (TOP: Seckel, GWG, A, +4)
Thursday, January 31
Kenai River 2 @ Texas 5 (TEX: Puente, 3A, +1)
Friday, February 1
So. Minnesota 4 @ Bismarck 5 (SO) (BIS: Maggard, G, SOG, A)
North Iowa 1 @ Fargo-Moorhead 3 (FM: Schumacher, GWG, A, +2)
St. Louis 1 @ Mahoning Valley 2 (MV: Bailey, GWG, A, +2)
Alexandria 4 @ Marquette 2 (ALX: Swavely, G, 2A, +2)
Fairbanks 5 @ Topeka 4 (FBX: Kraft, GWG, 2A, +3)
Alpena 2 @ Traverse City 4 (TC: Stephenson, 27 saves)
Kenai River 0 @ Wichita Falls 3 (WF: Emery 22 saves)
Saturday, February 2
Traverse City 3 @ Alpena 1 (TC: Paliafito, 32 saves)
Southern Minnesota 3 @ Bismarck 4 (OT) (BIS: Olson, GWG, A, +3)
North Iowa 2 @ Fargo-Moorhead 3 (FM: Mihulka, G, GWG, A)
St. Louis 5 @ Mahoning Valley 4 (STL: Rabbani, GWG, A, +1)
Alexandria 4 @ Marquette 6 (MAR: Weight, 2G, GWG, +2)
Kenai River 2 @ Texas 3 (OT) (TEX: Korostin, 2A)
Fairbanks 2 @ Topeka 8 (TOP: Gens, GWG, 2A, +2)
AROUND THE NAHL
TOP PROSPECTS ON THE HORIZON: The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament is less than two weeks away. For more details on the event, which will be held February 17-19 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich., visit nahltopprospects.com.
KAYFES TO FAIRBANKS: Bismarck has traded defenseman Ryan Kayfes, 20, to Fairbanks for forward Zach Miller, 18, and future considerations. Kayfes will skate for the Central Division in the upcoming Top Prospects Tournament.
ALUM HEADED TO MERRIMACK: Stephane DaCosta (Texas, 2006-07) has committed to Merrimack College (Hockey East) for next season. The 18-year-old tallied 23 goals for 40 points in 50 games with the Tornado last year.
PETERSON KEEPS ROLLING: Despite two losses to Traverse City last weekend, Alpena’s leading-scorer Erik Peterson, 19, tallied two goals and an assist. “Erik has been our most consistent forward all season, and, on a weekend when we weren’t very good as a team, he continued to put up numbers for us,” said IceDiggers coach-GM Kenny Miller.
BAILEY BREAKS THROUGH: Mahoning Valley forward Kyle Bailey, 19, collected a goal, including the game-winner in Friday's 2-1 triumph, and three assists as the Phantoms split a weekend set with St. Louis. "Kyle is just getting comfortable. He's keeping things real simple," said Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr.
HATS OFF: Marquette forward Nic Weight, 20, struck for a hat trick in the Rangers’ 6-4 victory over Alexandria on Saturday. “Nic and his linemates (Aaron Pietila and Mike Macari) played a major role in that win,” said Rangers coach Randy Enders.
ALUM COPS HOCKEY EAST HONOR: Providence junior defenseman Matt Taormina (Texarkana/St. Louis, 2004-05) was named the Hockey East Player of the Week after scoring a goal and an assist as the Friars went 1-0-1.
KASSEL NABS ATLANTIC HOCKEY AWARD: Army junior goaltender Josh Kassel (Bozeman, 2004-05) was named the Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Week after backstopping the Black Knights to a weekend sweep over the University of Connecticut.
EX-ZEBRA RECOGNIZED: Former NAHL official Shawn Davis has been selected to work the OHL All-Star Game on Wednesday, February 6, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Thursday, February 7
Fargo-Moorhead @ Bismarck, 7:05 pm
Friday, February 8
Springfield @ Alexandria, 7:00 pm
Topeka @ Fairbanks, 7:30 pm
Marquette @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm
Southern Minnesota @ North Iowa, 7:30 pm
St. Louis @ Texas, 7:30 pm
Kenai River @ Wichita Falls, 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 9
Alexandria @ Bismarck, 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Fairbanks, 7:30 pm
Marquette @ Mahoning Valley, 7:15 pm
North Iowa @ Southern Minnesota, 7:00 pm
St. Louis @ Texas, 7:30 pm
Kenai River @ Wichita Falls, 7:00 pm
Sunday, February 10
Springfield @ Alexandria, 5:00 pm
North Iowa @ Southern Minnesota, 5:00 pm |
